Unmanned Systems Technology 015 | Martin UAV V-Bat | William Sachiti | Sonar Systems | USVs | Desert Aircraft DA150 EFI | SeaCat AUV/ROV | Gimbals

3 August/September 2017 | Contents Unmanned Systems Technology | August/September 2017 04 Intro The advent of full commercial unmanned systems is driving the volume production of the technology 06 Platform one: Mission-critical info Audi to launch version of its A8 with driverless option, simple and portable UAV from Amazon for emergency services in the pipeline, development of solar/lithium-ion batteries, and more 18 In conversation: William Sachiti Autonomous doorstep deliveries are just around the corner, as the head of the Academy of Robotics unveils his plans for them 22 Dossier: Martin UAV V-Bat Take a concept first thought up in the 1920s, update it using the latest technologies and this remarkable VTOL is what you get 34 Focus: Sonar systems Details of the latest tide of developments in sonar and underwater comms for seabed surveys and mapping 42 Insight: USVs How emerging technologies and marine regulations are providing a raft of new opportunities for USV suppliers and operators 50 Dossier: Desert Aircraft DA150 EFI As this veteran two-stroke becomes available with electronic fuel injection, we report on the history of its development and the engineering that underlies it 62 Digest: SeaCat AUV/ROV A choice between autonomy and remote control, together with a set of interchangeable sensor modules, mark this craft out as signalling an important trend in underwater systems 68 Focus: Gimbals The stability – in all senses – of a UAV’s payload is critical to its performance, and systems engineers have to take a wide range of factors into account, as we explain 78 Show report: CUAV Expo Europe The Commercial UAV Expo crossed the Atlantic for the first time this year, and we were on hand to bring you a selection here of the most eye-catching products 82 PS: UAVs for research How Britain squandered a potential head-start in supersonic flight research, and how unmanned systems now play a key role in manned flight research when the costs or risks are too high 22 42 62 06 18